Control system.



A. J. HALL.

CONTROL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 1'0. I914.

Patented Sept. 17, 1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

WITNESSES ATTORNEY A. J. HALL.

CONTROL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10, l9l4.

1,278,917. Patented Sept. 17,1918.

I 2 suns-sun 2. 1 I0 I/ ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIcE.

ARTHUR J. HALL, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CONTROL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 1'7, 1918.

Application filed December 10, 1914. Serial No. 876,484.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, ARTHUR J. HALL, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Control Systems, of which the following lsa specification.

My invention relates to control systems of the remote-control, multiple-unit type, and it has special reference to such systems as are adapted to govern the operation of fluid-actuated mechanisms.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a simple and effective means for remotely controlling the operation of fluidactuated devices which may be employed either to govern the operation of electrically propelled vehicles, or for any other purpose in which it is desired to actuate a member in opposite directions and to arrest its movement in any position.

Another object of my invention is to provide simple and reliable means for controlling the operation of fluid-actuated mechanisms in such manner that different rates of movement thereof may be effected in either direction of operation, at the will of the operator. 1

In a co -pending application, Serial No. 847,858, filed June 29,1914, by K. A. Simmon and A. J. Hall and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, a control system of this general type is disclosed, which embodies an operating cylinder having a movable piston contained therein and provided with a valve in each end of the cylinder for governing the admission and release of operating fluid to and from the respective ends thereof, by means of which the piston is actuated in either direction or is held stationary in any intermediate position. When pressure is admitted at one end of the cylinder and released from the other, the piston is moved J by reason of the unbalanced pressure conditions acting upon it. However, when both ends of the cylinder are supplied with operating fluid, balanced pressures exist and movements of the piston are prevented.

Assuming balanced pressure relations, movement in either direction may be effected by reducing the fluid pressure on one side of the piston by means of one of the valves, although it has been found by experience that, with the apparatus set forth in the copending application referred to, there is an appreciable and undesirable time interval between the manipulation of the valve and the resulting movement of the piston.

In control systems that are adapted to govern the operation of electric locomotives or other electrically propelled vehicles or, in fact, many other classes of apparatus, it is important to avoid sluggishness in the mechanisms of the control system and to employ a mechanism which is sensitive, quicklyresponsive and positive in operation.

Accordingly, I propose to provide each end of the operating cylinder with an auxiliary exhaust valve having, a relatively large port and to utilize the one or the other of said auxiliary valves, together with the usual main exhaust .valve, for obtaining a rapid reduction in pressure on one side of the piston, whereby the operation of the fluid-actuated device is rendered quickly-responsive to the manipulation of the control means by the operator.

After the movement of thepiston is initiated, the auxiliary exhaust valve may be allowed to close, thereby retarding the rate of operation of the system and providing a relatively slow movement of the apparatus for regulating purposes.

More specifically stated, I propose to provide a system for governing the operation of a railway vehicle driven by a polyphase induction motor, that is controlled by a fluidactuated liquid rheostat having a single movable combined discharge and regulating valve, such as set forth in my co-pending application, ,Serial No. 873,919, filed Nov. 25, 1914, the operation of which is governed by electrically operated and controlled valves in accordance with the manipulation of a master controller.

Moreover, means is provided, not only for r ter controller and suitable circuit connec- I reference to the accompanying drawings, in

which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an electrically controlled system embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view of a mechanically operated remote-control system arranged in accordance with my invention; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the main circuits and main control apparatus of a modified system embodying my invention and adapted to control the operation of an electric motor by means of a liquid rheostat, and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic View of the auxiliary control circuits and apparatus employed for governing the main-circuit connections and apparatus shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the

4 system shown comprises a movable valve 1 which is adapted to open and close a communication through a pipe 2 which may carry fluid, such as water or steam, for any of a variety of purposes, the valve 1 being associated with a fluid-actuated operating mechanism OM comprising a cylinder 4 and a movable piston 5 contained therein. The upper end of the cylinder 4 is provided with a plurality of electrically operated magnetvalves OE-slow and Off-fast, while the lower end of the cylinder has associated therewith a plurality of magnet-valves On-slow, On-fast, for the purpose of governing the admission and release of operating fluid from a suitable source (not shown) to and from the respective ends of the cylinder 4. The valve Off-slow, when dee'nergized, is normally adapted to admit operating fluid to the cylinder 4 through an inlet port 6 and to close its exhaust port 7 which has a restricted opening 7 a to the atmosphere. The valve Off-fast merely embodies an exhaust port 8 which is normally closed and has a relatively large opening 8 to the atmosphere. The On-slow valve is normally held in its closed position,

so far as its inlet port 9 is concerned, al-

though its exhaust port 10 is opened to perm1t the escape of any operating fluid within the cylinder 4, through a restricted opening 10*. Referring now to the valve On-fast it'is provided with a normally opened exhaust port 11 which communicates with the atmosphere through an opening 11 of material size.

Under the conditions shown in the figure and just described, fluid pressure is admitted to the upper end of the cylinder 4, while the lower end thereof is opened to the atmosphere, whereby an unbalanced pressureacts upon the piston 5 and biases the same to its lowermost position.

Inorder to govern the operation of the several electrically controlled valves hereinbefore mentioned, a master controller MO is provided, which embodies a plurality of contact terminals 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 and a cooperating movable conducting segment 18 which is adapted to engage the terminals in a plurality of positions marked a, b, c, and d. Positions 0 and d are adapted to effect an upward movement of the piston 5 and the opening of the valve 1, respectively, at a slow and at a fast rate; position b arranges the circuit connections for arrestin any movement of the piston 5 and holding 1t and i the valve 1 in any position; position a serves to cause the piston 5 and valve 1 to be lowered or closed at a slow rate, while the Off position of the controller effects the lowering of the piston 5 and closure ofivalve 1 at a fast rate.

In order to adapt the system for multipleunit operation, whereby a plurality of operating mechanisms may be concurrently and correspondingly regulated, a plurality of socalled Train lines are employed, which conductors correspond in function to the well-known train-line conductors of railway control systems.

Assuming the apparatus and circuit connections to be as shown in Fig. 1, the operation of the system is as follows: If it is desired to open the valve 1 at a relatively rapid rate, the conducting segment 18 of the-master controller MC is moved into its position d, in which a circuit is established from one terminal of an auxiliary source of energy or battery B through terminal 13, and conducting segment 18, and thence through a pluralityof circuits respectively including. contact terminal 14 and the energizing coil of magnet valve Ofl'fast,"con tact terminal 15 and energizing coil of magnet valve 011- slow, contact terminal 16 and energizing coil of magnet valve On-slow, and contact terminal 17 and energizing coil of valve magnet On-fast. Thus, all of the magnet valves are energized and each is moved into its opposite position; The exhaust port 10 of the valve On-slow is closed and its inlet port 9 is opened to admit operating fluid to the lower end of the cylinder 4, while the exhaust port 11 of the magnet valve On-fast is closed. Moreover, the

valve Off-slow is actuated to close its inlet port 6 and to open its exhaust port 7, while the Off-fast valve is actuated to open 1ts exhaust port 8. By reason of opening the.

"exhaust ports of both of the magnet valves therefore, a prompt response and ugward movement of the piston are efl'ecte at a correspondingly rapid rate.

If it is desired to reduce the speed of the opening operation, it is only necessary to move the master controller MC into its position 0 in which contact terminal 14 disvalve Off-fast is deenergized and perat a slow rate.

mitted to close its large exhaust, port 8. Thus, the release of operating fluid from the upper end of the cylinder 4 is retarded,

and a correspondingly slower speed of operation is secured.

In case it is desired to arrest the upward movement of the valve 1 at any intermediate position, it becomes necessary to cause the conducting segment 18 of the master controller MO to occupy its postion b, in which contact terminal 15 also becomes disengaged from the conducting segment 18, thus deenergizing the magnet valve Off-slow. This valve, therefore, is permitted to return to its initial position in which its outlet port 7 is closed and its inlet port 6 is opened. Thereupon, operating fluid is admitted to the upper end of the operating cylinder 4 to balance the pressure in the lower end thereof and to hold the piston 5 at rest in whatever position it occupies. a

The valve 1 may be lowered or closed at a slow rate by moving the master controller MO into its av position, whereby the disengagement of contact terminal 16 and contact segment 18 is effected and valve magnet On-slowis also deenergized to permit.

the opening of exhaust port 10 and the closure of inlet port 9. The fluid pressure beneath the piston 5, therefore, is exhausted through the small port 10 and, consequently, the piston 5 is moved to close the valve 1 A rapid rate of closure may be obtained u by moving the mastercontroller MO to its Off position in which the conducting segment 18 becomes disengaged from all of the contact terminals and, therefore, all of the magnet valves are' deenergized and are moved into their initial positions. Under these circumstances, operatin fluid is admitted'above'the piston 5, while both of the exhaust orts 10 and 11 of the respective valves n-slow and On-fast are opened, whereby the lower end of the cylinder 4 is quickly exhausted, and a correspondingly rapid movement of the piston 5i and associated valve 1 results.

Without further description, it is evident that the piston 5 may be actuated in either direction atdiflerent rates of movement or may be held stationary in any position -merely by manipulating the master con troller MO to its proper position.

While I find it particularly convenient and advantageous to employ electrical means effecting the control thereof through the agency of mechanical remote-control means,

and, in Fig. 2 I have illustrated means of this type which is adapted to perform the necessary functions, although it will be understood that other forms of mechanical control apparatus may be employed.

In Fig. 2, the operating mechanism OM is similar to that hereinbefore described, except that the several valves Off-slow, OW-fast, On-slow and On-fast are of somewhat 'modified construction, although of a type that is old and familiar in the art, and, moreover, said valves-are respectively actuated mechanically by means of manually operated handles 25, 26, 27 and 28 and suitable interconnecting rods 29, 30, 31 and 32. No description of the valve is deemed necessary because of their wellknown type of construction, it being considered suflicient to state that they are normally held in their initial positions by means of springs 33 and are so constructed as to correspond, in function, to the valves described in connection with Fig. 1. By manipulating the proper operating handles 25, 26, 27 and 28, the respective valves may be caused to occupy positions corresponding to those of the valves set forth in connection with Fig. l and, therefore, the same operating characteristics of the fluid-pressure mechanism OM may be secured, where by movements at different rates of speed may be effected in either direction or the piston 5 may be held stationary in any position.

In order to provide for concurrent opera tion of a plurality of fluid-pressure mechanisms similar to OM, bell crank levers 35, 86, 37 and 38 and actuatin rods 39, 40, 41. and 42 are provided and these devices are so associated together and with the actuating rods 29, 30, 31, and 32 that the movement of the latter rods is transmitted to former ones, which serve to similarly and rality of supply-circuit conductors 40, 41

and 42 for delivering energy through an electrically operated line switch LS to the primarywindings P of a polyphase induction motor M having secondarywindings S that are connected to a regulatable resistance device or liquid rheostat LR by means of which the acceleration of the motor M is controlled.

The liquid rheostat LR comprises a tank 44 having-a central bottom opening 45- and a movable tubular combined discharge and regulating valve 46, comprising an upper.

, valve 46 be raised until the lower portion 48 of larger diameter just fills. the discharge opening 45,. then the continuously supphed electrolyte rises within the tank 44 to a level corresponding to the top of the upper por-' tion 47 of the valve 46. This height is termed the Flush-level and just immerses the lower ends of a plurality of electrodes 50*, 51 and 52 to which the secondary windings S of the motor M are connected. When the regulating valve 46 is raised above its Flush-level position, the height of the electrolyte is correspondingly increased. It is clear, therefore, that the operation of the motor M may be readily governed, at the will of the operator, by varying the height of the combined discharge and regulating valve 46 to suit the desired conditions of operation.

In order to permit the operator to control the actuation of the regulating valve 46, a

'fiuid-pressure operating mechanism OM,

which is similar in all respects to that described in connection with Fig. 1 is provided, the disposition, construction and operation of the several magnet valves Offslow, Off-fast, On-slow, and On-fast being identical to those hereinbefore described. In addition, a pneumatic or pressure interlocking switching device PI is provided, which is associated with the upper end of the cylinder 4 and comprises a cylinder 50, a piston 51 contained-therein and adapted to be actuated in an upward direction in opposition to a spring 52, in accord:

ance with the pressure existingin the upper end of said cylinder. Associated with the piston 51 is a switch member 53 which is adapted to make cooperative engagement with a pair of stationary contact terminals 54 when said piston is held in its uppermost position. The cotiperative engagement of the switch members 53 and 54'is maintained only as long as the fluid pressure in thecylinder is greater thana predetermined value.

For the purpose ofgoverning the opera- 1 tion of the several electrically operated magnet valves, an auxiliary interlocking controller IC is employed which embodies a plurality of stationary contact terminals 60 to 67, inclusive, that are adapted to make cooperative engagement with the conducting segments. 68, 69 and 70, upon the position indicating lines marked Oif, Flushthat are adapted to be engaged by an arm 77 which is attached to a rod 78 that connects the movable piston 5 with the regulating valve 46. The arm 77 and the lugs and 76 are so arranged that the cooperative engagement thereof is efl'ected in predetermined positions of the regulating valve 46, whence the movements of the conducting segments 68,- 69 and 70 are effected only in accordance with the actuation of the piston 5 and associated regulating ,valve 46. For instance, in the position shown in the figure, the carrier 72 and the movable conducting segments 68', 69 and 70 are held in their lowermost positions by reason of the engagement ofthe arm 77 with the lug 75, it'being its lowest position to permit the discharge of electrolyte from rheostatLR. Under,

these conditions,-the stationary contact terminals 60 to 67, inclusive, engage the conducting segments upon the position-indicating line marked OE, and the centralizing spring 74 is held under compression.

If the regulating valve 46 be raised to close the discharge openin 45' and to establish the Flush level of arm 77 is raised to occupy the position shown in dottedlines A, and thus permits the spring'74 to raise the interlockin controller IC to its position marked lushlevel.

As soon as the regulating raised above the Flush-level spring 74 moves the interlocking controller IC to its center or neutral position marked Regulating, in which posltion it remains until the regulating valve 46 just reaches its uppermost position, when the 'arm 77. engages the lug 76 and moves the controller IC to its position marked Short-circuit e electrolyte, the,

valve 46 is, position, the

in opposition to. the spring 73. The arm 77 then occupies the position shown '11 dotted .lines B. 'In the Short-circuit position,

Referring now to Fig. 4, which illustrates the control circuits for governing the operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3, the

system shown embodies a master controller are provided, With energizing coils X and Y.

Assuming the apparatus and circuit connections to be as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the operation of the system is as follows:

In ,order to accelerate the motor M, it is first necessary to establish a Flush-level of the electrolyte within the rheostat LR in order to immerse the tips of the electrodes 51 and 52. To accomplish this result, the master controller MC may be moved into anyof its operative positions, preferably to its position marked Lower, in which a circuit is established from an auxiliary source of energy or battery B which includes contact terminal 80, conducting segment 84, contact terminal 83 and conductor 90, where the circuit divides, one branch traversing the energizing coil of valve magnet On-fast-and conductor B to the battery, and the other branch trav ersing conductor 91 to contact terminal 63 of the interlock controller IC and thence ton 5 and is permitted to rapidly escape .through the exhaust ports of both of the magnet valves Off-slow and Off-fast. The rapid reduction of pressure above the piston 5 quickly establishes a suflicient unbalancing to cause said piston and'its assoeiated combined discharge and regulating valve 46.to be promptly raised in position. The operation of the operating mechanism OM, therefore, is quickly responsive to the manipulation of the master controller MC, and the time element of operation is reduced to a minimum.

As soon as the upward movement of the )iston 5 and valve 46 is started, the spring 4 actuates the interlockcontroller IC and effects the engagement of contact terminals 66 and 67 with the conducting, segment 70, whereby a circuit is completed from conductor 90,- which includes the energizing coil 87 of the line switch LS and contact terminals 66 and 67 which are bridged by slow to the conductor B-.

the conducting segment 70, to the B conductor. Thus, the coil 87 of the line switeh LS is energized, and said switch is closed to supply energy from the supply circuits 40, 41, and 42 to the primary'wmdings P of the motor M. 1

As a result of closing the line switch LS,

its interlock switches 85 and 86 are alsoclosed, but, inasmuch as the master controller MC is assumed to occupy its Lower position, no additional circuits are established. Furthermore, by reasonof the reduction in pressure within the upper end of cylinder 4, the spring 52 of the pressure interlock PI serves to actuate the piston 51 and to lower the switch member 53 from its coiiperating stationary contact terminals 54. However, inasmuch as the master controller MC still occupies its Lower position, this action has no effect upon the operation ofthe system. The purpose of the pressure interlock PI will be hereinafter fully set forth.

Just prior to the attainment of the Flush-level position, contact terminals 64 and 65 of the controller IC become disengaged from the conducting segment 69 and the energizing coils of the valve magnet Off-fast and Oftslow are dee'nergized to permit said valves to return to their initial positions in which the exhaust ports of both valves are closed and the inlet port of the valve Off-slow'is opened. Hence, operating fluid is admitted to the operating cylinder 4 to balance that in the lower end thereof and to arrest the movement of the piston 5 and associated discharge and regulating valve 46.

The movement of the valve 46, therefore, is arrested in its Flush-level position, and the continuously infiowing electrolyte rises to that level and completes the secondary circuit of the motor M, after which the motor starts into operation in accordance with well-known principles.

If it be desired to further accelerate the motor M, it is only necessary to move the master controller MC to its Raise position in which the following additional circuits are completed,one rom conducting segment 84, which includes contact terminal 81, conductor 96, interlock S W1l3( 3h 85 and conductor 97, where the circuit d vides, one bran h including cooperating swltch members 53 and 54 of pressure 1nterlook PI which occupies its closed pos tion, by reason of the full pressure of op'eratmg fluid in the upper end of cylinder 4, and, thence,

through the energizin coil of valve Offfast to the B con uctor, and the other branch including contactterminal 64 and the energizing coil of the valve magnet Off- The other 011'- cuit' completed in the Raise position of the master controller 'MC includes contact terminal 82, conductor 93, interlock switch 86 and conductor 94 to a point intermediate the contact terminal 62 and the energizing coil of valve magnet On-slow.

The magnet valves Off-fast and Offslow are, therefore, energized and actuated to open their respective exhaust ports and to close the inlet ort of the latter valve, whereby a rapid re notion in pressure of the operating fluid in the upper end of cylinder 4 is permitted which results in a quick move ment of the piston 5 and the discharge-and regulating valve 46 which responds substantially instantaneously to the manipulation of the controller.

As soon as the pressure in the upper end of the cylinder has been reduced to a predetermine amount, which immediately follows the initial movement of the piston 5, the pressure interlock device PI effects the disengagement of its cooperating switch men1- bers 53 and 54, and the valve magnet Oiffast becomes deenergized and its'exhaust port closed. Thus, the escape of operating fluid is materially retarded, being confined to the single exhaust ort of valveOff-slow which is of relative y small area. Therefore, after having effected a prompt response of the operating mechanism OM to the controller MC, the rapidity of movement of the piston 5 and discharge andregulating valve 46 is immediately retarded and further movements thereof are effected at a v 35 relatively slow rate.

When the valve 46 is raised above its F lush-level position, interlock controller 10 is actuated mto its Regulating position by spring 74, and contact terminals 62 and 63 are disen aged from segment 69. ,The further regu tion of the operating mechanism and valve 46 is independent of the con troller IO which occupies its central position. The upward movement of the piston 5 and valve 46 may be arrested in any desired position merely by moving the master controller MC to its Hold position, whereby the contact terminal8l becomes disengaged from conducting segment 84 and, hence, both of the magnet valves Off-slow and Offfast are dener ized. Thereupon, said valves return to tieir initial positions, and balanced pressure conditions, acting upon the piston 5, are restored and said piston is held stationary.

In order to reduce the speed of operation motor M, the master controller MC may be moved to its position marked Lower, whereupon contact terminal 82 is also disengaged from conducting segment 84, and the energizing coil of valve magnet Onslow is also deenergized. Thus, the Onslow valve returns to its initial position to cut off the supply of operating fluid to the lower end of the cylinder 4 and to open its relatively small exhaust port, it being understood that the exhaust port of the valve magnet On-fast is still closed, and that operating fluid is admitted above the piston 5. Under these conditions, unbalanced and the speed of the motor correspondingly reduced. Obviously, the lowering operation may be arrested in any position by moving the master controller MC to its Hold position.

For purposes of explanation, however, it will be assumed that the Lower position of the master controller is maintained, in which case the downward movement of the piston 5 and valve 46 continues until contact terminals 62 and 63 are brought'into engagement with the conducting segment 69 of the interlock controller IC between its positions marked Flush-level and Reguating. Thereupon, the valve magnet Onslow is also energized from conductor 91 through contact terminals 62 and 63, which are bridged by the conducting segment 69.

The magnet valve On-slow, therefore, is caused to open its inlet port to admit operating fluid, whereby balanced pressures are obtained which serve to arrest the downward movement of the piston 5 and valve 46 in their Flush-level positions- Assuming now that the master controller occupies its-Raise position and that an up- Ward movement of the piston 5 and valve 46 is effected at a slow rate until substantially the uppermost position thereof is reached, then the arm 77, which is associated with the connectin rod 78, engagesthe lug 76 on the carrier 2 and raises the interlock controller 10 into its Short-circuit position in opposition to the spring 73. In this position, conducting segment 68 bridges contact terminals 60 and 61 and 4 conductor 90 X and Y of and Y, which said switches short-circuit completes a circuit from through the energizing coils the short-circuit switches X results in the energization of and their closure to establish connections across S of the motor M. The motor is operated at its full speed.

In order to disconnect the motor M from the supply circuits 40*, 41 and 42 at-any time and under any conditions of operation, the master controller MC is moved to its Off position to deenergize all of the magnet valves Oif-slow, Off-fast, On-slow and On-fast, whereupon'said valves are permitted to assume their initial positions, as shown in Fig. 3, and hence, thepiston 5 therefore,

the secondary windings described and to the mode of operation set forth, and modifications therein which do pot depart from the spirit and scope of my invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a fluid-pressure operating device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston therein, and means comprising a plurality of valves directlv connected .to said cylinder for controlling the admission and release of operating fluid to and from the'opposite ends of said cylinder and 3. The combination with a fluid-pressure operating device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston therein and a plurality of valves associated with each endof said cylinder for controlling the admission and release of operating fluid to and from the respective ends thereof, 'of means for governing the operation of said valves to cause said iston to move at different rates of speed.

4. The combination with a fluid-pressure operating device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston therein and a plurality of valves associated with each end of said cylinder for controlling the admission and release of operating fluid to and from the respective ends thereof, of means for governin the operation of some or all of said va ves for causing said piston to be moved at relatively different rates of speed.

5. The combination with a fluid-pressure operating device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston therein, an inlet portassociated with one endof said cylinder and a plurality of exhaust ports associated with the other end thereof, of means for governing said ports to effect movements of said piston at different rates of speed.

6. The combinationwith a fluid-pressure operating device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston therein and an inlet port associated with one end of said cylinder and a plurality of exhaust ports associated with the opposite end thereof, of means for open ing said inlet port and one of the oppositely located exhapst ports to effect slow movements of said piston and for opening said inlet port and a plurality of said oppositely located exhaust ports to effect relatively rapid movements of said piston.

, 7. The combination with a fluid-pressure operated device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston therein, a pluralityof normally closed exhaust ports and a normally open inlet portassociated with one end of said cylinder and a plurality of normally i open exhaust ports and a normally closed inlet port associated with the other end of said cylinder, of'means for governing said port to effect movements of said piston at different rates in either direction of operation.

8. The combination with a fluid-pressure operating device, comprising a cylinder, a movable piston therein, an inlet port in one end of the cylinder, and a plurality of exhaust ports of different sizes associated with the other end thereof, of manually operated means for controlling said ports to effect movements of said piston at different rates of speed.

9. The. combination with a fluid-pressure device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston conta ned thereln and means as'soclated J with the respective ends of said cylinder for governing the admission and release of operating fluid to and from said cylinder, of

electrical means for controlling the operation of said fiuid-controllingmeans to effect movements of said piston at different rates of speed.

10. The combination with a fluid-pressure device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein and a plurality of valves'a'ssociated with the respective ends of said cylinder for governing the admission and release of operatingfiuid thereto and therefrom, of electromagnetic means under the-control of an operator for governing the operation of saidvalves to effect different rates of movement of said piston.

a 11. The combination with a fluid-pressure device comprising a cylinder, a movable pis ton contained therein and a plurality of electromagnetically operated valves associated with the respective ends of said cylinderfor governing the admission and release of operating fluid thereto and therefrom, ofv a remotely lgcated master switch, and electrical means between said switch and saidelectromagnetically actuated valves for controlling the operation thereof to effeet movements of said piston at different rates of speed.

operating fluid to and 12. The combination with a fluid-pressure device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein, an-inlet valve and a pluralit of exhaust valves associated with each en of said cylinder,'of electrically controlled means for opening one of the inlet valves and one or both of the oppositely disposed exhaust valves for respectively of fecting movements of said piston at slow and fast rates of speed in either direction of operation.

13. The combination with a fluid-pressure device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein, an inlet valve associated with one end of the cylinder, anda plurality of exhaust valves associated with the other end thereof, of electromagnetically controlled means for opening the inlet valve and one of the oppositely disposed exhaust valves for effecting movements of the piston and for opening said inlet valve and both of the oppositely located exhaust valves for effecting movements of said piston at a relatively rapid rate.

14. The combination with a fluid-prwsure device comprising a cylinder, a movable pis-- ton contained therein and a combined inlet and exhaust valve and an auxiliary exhaust valve associated with each end of said cylinder, of electromagnetic means for overning the operation of said valves for e ecting movements of said piston in either direction of operation at different rates of speed.

15. The combination with a fluid-pressure device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein and an inlet valve and a plurality of exhaust valves of difierent sizes associated with each end of said cylinder, of electromagnetic means for controlling the operation of said valves and for opening an inlet valve and one of the o positely disposed exhaust valves, wherelFy the piston is moved at a predetermined rate and for opening an inlet valve and both of said oppositely disposed exhaust valves to effect similar movements of said piston at a relatively rapid rate.

16. The combination with a fluid-pressure operating devicecomprising a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein and a lurality of electromagnetica'lly operated va ves for governin the admlssion and release of from said cylinder, of a master controller and circuit connections for governing the operation of said valves, and an auxiliary interlocking controller for adjusting the circuit connections of said valves to effect relatively different rates of movement of said piston.

operating device comprising acylinder, a

movable piston contained therein and a lufor governing the cylinder,

17. The combination with a fluid-pressure operating fluid to and from of an auxiliary controller actuated by said piston, a master controller, and circuit connections between said master controller, said auxiliary controller and said valves for overning the operation of said valves to e ect diiierent rates of movement of said piston in either direction of operation.

18. The combination with 'a fluid-pressure operating device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein and a plurality of electromagnetically operated valves for governing the admission and release of operating fluid to and from said cylinder, of manually controlled means for governing the operation of said valves, and an auxiliary interlocking controller actuated by said piston for adjusting the circuit connections of said valves to efl'ect different rates of movement of said piston diflerent portions of the travel thereof.

19. The combination with a fluid-pressure operating device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein and a plurality of electromagnetically operated valves or governing the admission and release of operating fluid to and from said of manually controlled electrical means for governing the operation of said valves, and an auxiliary controller biased to an intermediate position and adapted to cooperate with said piston for interlocking said electrical governing means to control the operation of said valves, whereby said piston is moved at different rates through predetermined different portions of its travel.

20. The combination with a fluid-pressure operating device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein and a plurality of electromagnetically operated valves for governing the admission and release of operating fluid to and from said cylinder, of a inaster controller and circuit connections for governing the energization of said valves, an auxiliary interlocking controller, and means for biasing said controller to an intermediate position, said controller being actuated in opposition to said biasing means by said piston and adapted to rearrange the circuit connections of said valves in diiferent positions of said piston.

21. The combination with a fluid-pressure operating device comprising a cylinder,

a movable piston containedplurality of valves during sure operating device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein and a plurality of electromagnetically operated valves for governing the admission and release of operating fluid to and from said cylinder, of manually controlled electrical means for-governing the operation of said valves, and auxiliary interlocking. means cooperating therewith for effecting an initial rapid rate of movement of said piston and, subsequently, a relatively slow rate of movement thereof.

23. The combination with an operating device comprising a cylinder, a piston movable therein, a plurality of normally'closed exhaust valves and a normally open inlet valve associated with one end of said cylinder, and a plurality of normally opened exhaust valves and a normally closed inlet valve associated with the other end thereof, whereby said piston is biased to its initial position, of electromagnetic means for actuating said valves, and controllable means for actuating all of said valves to their opposite positions, whereby said piston is moved in one direction at a rapid rate and for subse quently actuating all but said first exhaust valve to their opposite positions for effecting a relatively slow movement of said piston.

24. The combination with a fluid-pressure operating device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein, and electromagnetically actuated valves for governmg the admission and release of operating fluid to and from said cylinder, of a master switch having three operating positions for governing the energization of said valves,.

whereby said piston is moved in either direction or held stationary at any point in its travel, and an auxiliary controller cooperating with said master switch and said valves for varying the rate of movement of said piston during its travel.

25; The combination with a fluid-pressure operating device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein, and electromagnetically actuated valves for governing the admission and release of operating fluid to and from said cylinder, of electrical means embodying a master controller for governing the operation of said valves to effect movements of said piston in either direction and to arrest its movement in any position, and an interlocking controller adapted to be actuated by said piston for governing the energization of .saidvalves whereby said piston is moved, at relatively different rates during different portions of its travel in either direction of operation.

26. In a control system, the combination with a dynamo-electric machine and a liquid rheostat for governing the acceleration of said machine and having a movable tubular regulating valVe adapted ,to be raised and lowered to fix the height of electrolyte, of means for actuating said regulating valve and comprising a cylinder, a movable piston and a plurality of electrically operated valves associated with said cylinder, and electrical means for control ling the operation of said machine and embodying a master switch and an interlocking controller for governingthe energization of said valves and effecting a .rapid initial movement of said piston and associated regulating valve and a subsequent relatively slow movement thereof.

27. In a control system, the combination with a dynamo-electric machine, a liquid rheostat for governing the acceleration of said machine and having a bottom discharge opening, and a tubular regulating valve disposed therein and adapted to be raised to close said opening and to fix the height of the electrolyte, of a fluid-pressure operating mechanism comprising a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein and a plurality of electrically operated valves associated therewith for governing the admission and release of operating fluid to and from said cylinder, and control means for governing the operation of said machine by causing said valves to effectan initial relatively rapid movement of said regulating valve to close said discharge opening and a subsequent slow movement thereof for regulating the height of said electrolyte.

28. In a control system, the combination with a dynamo-electric machine, a liquid rheostat for governing the acceleration of said machine and having a bottom discharge opening, and a tubular regulating valve disposed therein and adapted to be raised to close said opening and to fix the height of the electrolyte, of a fluid-pressure operating mechanism comprising a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein and a plurality of electrically operated valves associated therewith for governing the admission and release of operating fluid to and from said cylinder, manually operated control means, and an auxiliary interlocking controller adapted to be actuated by said piston for conjointly governing the operation ,ofsaid machine by causing the actuation of said cylinder valves to effect an initial rapid movement of said piston and associated regulating valve for closing said discharge opening and for subsequently permitting other end thereof, of electrical means for causing said valves to be moved into their pressure switch being associated with said cylinder and adapted to deenergize said exhaust valve under predetermined conditions of pressure in said cylinden.

30. The combination with a cylinder, a'

movable piston therein, means for admitting operating fluid to one end of said cylinder, and a plurality of electrically operated exhaust valves associated with the other end thereof, of an interlocking switching device adapted to complete the circuit of one of said electrically operated exhaust valves under full-pressure conditions and for deenergizing said exhaust valve to eifect the closure thereof under predetermined minimum-pressure conditions.

31. The combination with a cylinder, a movable piston contained therein, a normally close-d electrically operated inlet valve associated with one end of said cylinder, a normally open electrically operated inlet valve and a plurality of normally closed electrically operated exhaust valves associated with the other end of said cylinder, whereby said piston is biased to its initial position, and means for energizing said valves to effect movements thereof into their opposite positions, whereby said piston is actuated rapidly in one direction, and a pressure-actuated interlocking switch normally in circuit with one of said electrically operated exhaust valves under full ressure conditions for denergizing said va ve and effecting its closure under predetermined reduced-pressure conditions, whereby the rate of movement of said piston is reduced.

32. The combination with a cylinder, a

movable piston contained therein, and means for admltting operating fluid to one end of said cylinder, of an electrically operated exhaust valve associated with the other end thereof and adaptedto be closed when deenergized, an interlocking switch dependent upon the pressure of the fluid within the end 'of the cylinder with which said exhaust valve is associated and adapted to complete a circuit through said electrically operated exhaust valve under normal-pressure conditions and to interrupt said circuit under reduced-pressure conditions.

33. The combination with a fluid-pressure operating device comprising a cylinder and a movable piston, of electrically operated valves associated with said cylinder for governing the admission and release of operating fluid thereto, and means for governmg the operation of one of said electrically operated valves in accordance with pressure conditions.

34. The combination with a fluid-pressure operating device comprisinga fluid-containing member and a movable member disposed therein, of a controllable valve associated with said fluid containing member and means for governing the operation of said valve in accordance with pressure conditions Within said fluid-containing member.

35. A fluid-pressure operating device comprising a cylinder, a movable piston, and an inlet valve and a plurality of exhaust valves associated with each end of said cylinder for respectively governin the admission and release of operating uid to and from said cylinder.

- 36. The combination with a fluid-pressure device comprising a cylinder, and a movable piston thereln, of an inlet valve associated with one end of said cylinder, a plurality of exhaust valves associated with the other end thereof, and means controlled by said piston for governing the operation of said valves. p I

37. The combination with a fluid-pressure device comprising a cylinder, and a movable piston therein, of means for admitting operating fluid into one end of said cylinder and a plurality of exhaust valves associated with the-other end thereof for controlling the rate of movement of said piston.

38. The combination with a fluid-pressure device comprising a cylinder, and a mov- Y able piston therein, of an inlet valvefa plu-' rality of exhaust valves associated with each end of said cylinder, and means controlled by said piston for governing the operation of said valves.

39. The combination with a fluid-pressure device comprising a cylinder, and a movable piston therein, of an electromagnetically operated combined inlet and exhaust valve and an electromagnetically operated auxiliary exhaust valve associated with each end of said cylinder for effecting movements of said piston in either directlon at difi'erent rates.

40. The combination with a fluid-pressure device comprising a cylinder, and a movable piston therein, of a plurality of electrically operated valves associated with one endof the cylinder for governin the admlsslon and release of operating also associated with the same end of said cylinder.

41. The combination with a fluid-pressure device comprisin a cylinder, and a movable piston therein, 0 means for admitting fluid uid thereto and therefrom, and a pressure-responslve device.

ated device comprising a cylinder and a.

movable -piston, of means for effecting a predetermined normal movement of said piston,- and means cooperating with said first means to effect. a relatively rapid initial movement of said piston. 4

43. The combination with a movable member, of fluid-pressure means for effecting a predetermined normal movement of said member, and means for initially accentuating predetermined unbalanced-pressure conditions to efi'eot a relatively rapid initial movement of said member.

44. The combination with a movable member, of operatin means therefor normally biased to a pre etermined position, means for reverslng the blaslng action to effect normal movement of said member, and means acting during the reversal to permlt ing cylinder and a movable piston dis osed thereln, of means for effecting a pre eter-' mined normal movement of said piston, and

" piston travel.

means for accelerating said movement durmg a predetermined initial portion of the 47. The combination with a fluid-containing cylinder and a movablepiston disposed therein, of means for effecting a predetermined normal movement of said piston, and means acting in conjunction with said first means for effecting an initial relatively rapid movement ofsaid piston during a predetermined portion of its travel.

48. The combination with a fluid-containing cylinder and a movable piston disposed therein, of means for efi'ecting a predetermined normal movement of. said piston, and means dependent ,upon the position of said piston for effecting a relatively rapid movement thereof.

49. The combination with a member to be actuated and a fluid-pressure operating device for actuating said member, of means associated with said operating device and dependent upon the position thereof for effecting an initial rapid movement of said member to be actuated.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 25th day of Nov. 1914.

- ARTHUR J. HALL.

Witnesses:

G. R. GWIN, B. B. Hunts. 

